Iris Dell, Wakehurst

Every April, the Iris Dell, Wakehurst is set ablaze with the dazzling blooms of 'Azalea Hatsu-giri' rhododendrons. Planted in 1996/97, the colours are an assault on the senses. If you don't believe the colours look like this, please visit Wakehurst yourself. Don't leave it too long. The blooms fade within two weeks. I also recommend Bethlehem Wood in April for a more subdued display of English bluebells. The visitor opening hours in spring/summer makes it impossible to photograph the landscape during the Golden Hour, so I rely on bright, but sunless skies to provide filtered, even lighting. The colours of Azaleas and Rhododendrons are so strong, direct sunlight is not required. In fact, it can ruin photographs. I use a lightweight tripod, the Sony ZV-E10 camera and a Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens. A circular polariser dramatically improves the appearance of foliage by blocking reflections. I always shoot in RAW for best results. If you don't shoot in RAW, learn how to get the most out of your photography. You won't regret it.

 Azaleas and Iris Dell, Wakehurst

 

Azaleas & Iris Dell, Wakehurst

 

Iris Dell, Wakehurst in April 2026

 

Iris Dell at Wakehurst, May 2025

Most visitors leave Wakehurst after lunch, which frees up availability in the gardens for landscape photography. Cool weather during weekdays discourages people from sitting down and eating their picnics. Sometimes people add to the scene, but I prefer to photograph gardens without visitors. 4pm onwards is best. I will behave like a visitor myself before this time and enjoy a stroll.

 

Azaleas at Wakehurst

 

Pasqueflower, Wakehurst

 

Ferns in Water Garden, Wakehurst

 

Oak tree in Bluebells, Bethlehem Wood, Wakehurst

 

Bluebells at Bethlehem Wood, Wakehurst

 

Bluebells at Bethlehem Wood, Wakehurst

 

A mild winter and spring has caused one of the earliest blooms of English bluebells I can remember. Bluebells reached their peak around the third week of April 2026 and I began to notice fading blooms. I once again saw damage to bluebells at Bethlehem Wood, caused by footfall, although damage is nowhere near comparable to other sites, where entire tracts get flattened each year. Thank you to everyone at Wakehurst who understands that bulbs with damaged foliage can struggle to generate enough energy to flower again for several years. The same cannot be said for the owners of the Angmering Park Estate in West Sussex. For the past ten years, the estate has been destroying carpets of ancient bluebells by crushing the bulbs with heavy machinery, dumping wood and allowing the ground to become clogged with brambles. Only one part of the estate has escaped the bluebell carnage. The estate says that they are following Forestry Commission guidance on woodland ecosystems. If that is their definition of good practice, I am calling the Angmering Park Estate the banality of evil, like an army of ten thousand social media influencers and their dogs trampling on our beauty, art and national heritage.

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